Flood control dam to protect New Braunfels, downstream residents

Updated 8:10 am, Friday, March 22, 2013

The dam was prompted by flooding in 1998 that caused more than $1 billion in damage.

The dam was prompted by flooding in 1998 that caused more than $1 billion in damage.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Victor Vasquez photographs the new 1,500 foot long dam, where a crowd gathered for Thursday's dedication ceremony.

Victor Vasquez photographs the new 1,500 foot long dam, where a crowd gathered for Thursday's dedication ceremony.

Photo: Zeke MacCormack, San Antonio Express-News

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The only water upstream of the dam during dedication ceremonies was this puddle, but flash flooding along the tributary of the Dry Comal Creek has been a concern to downstream residents at least since a major flood in 1952.

The only water upstream of the dam during dedication ceremonies was this puddle, but flash flooding along the tributary of the Dry Comal Creek has been a concern to downstream residents at least since a major

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause (right) and assistant county engineer Robert Boyd unveil the plaque at the dedication of the Dry Comal Creek Flood Retarding Structure at Thursday's ceremony that drew about 60 people.

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause (right) and assistant county engineer Robert Boyd unveil the plaque at the dedication of the Dry Comal Creek Flood Retarding Structure at Thursday's ceremony that drew about 60

Adam Payne emerges from the tunnel underneath as construction continues on the Dry Comal Creek Flood Retarding Structure on August 8, 2012.

Adam Payne emerges from the tunnel underneath as construction continues on the Dry Comal Creek Flood Retarding Structure on August 8, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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From a bluff high above the Dry Comal Creekbed, Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth describes work being done by construction crews (background) now building a flood control dam that will be 1700 feet long, 100 feet high and 80 feet wide at its base and 25 feet wide at its top. The dam, which cost $19.2 million to build, is slated for completion by August. Zeke MacCormack

From a bluff high above the Dry Comal Creekbed, Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth describes work being done by construction crews (background) now building a flood control dam that will be 1700 feet long, 100

From a bluff high above the Dry Comal Creekbed, Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth describes work being done by construction crews (background) now building a flood control dam that will be 1700 feet long, 100 feet high and 80 feet wide at its base and 25 feet wide at its top. The dam, which cost $19.2 million to build, is slated for completion by August. Zeke MacCormack

From a bluff high above the Dry Comal Creekbed, Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth describes work being done by construction crews (background) now building a flood control dam that will be 1700 feet long, 100

NEW BRAUNFELS — Area officials Thursday celebrated the long-awaited completion of a huge new flood-control dam south of town that will help protect both nearby homes and downstream residents on the Guadalupe River.

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The dam can hold back up to 938 million gallons during heavy rains, though the limited culvert flow will continue.

Unforeseen soil conditions also forced a redesign that involved excavating a trench along the dam's entire length — up to 123 feet deep — which was filled with concrete to prevent floodwaters from undercutting it.

“There were a lot of hurdles along the way, but we just kept going and finally got the thing built,” Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth said.

Four other dams were proposed for upstream of New Braunfels after the 1998 flood.

“I certainly hope we will have some more,” said New Braunfels Mayor Gale Pospisil, who expressed amazement at the new dam's size.

Although the only water visible behind the dam Thursday was a puddle, she knows too well the potential for disaster when rains swell the Guadalupe River and its tributaries.

New Braunfels paid $1.5 million toward the $19.2 million project About $12 million came from grants, but federal authorities now are trying to reclaim $7 million awarded for it.

Guadalupe County is expected to pitch in $500,000, said Guadalupe County Commissioner Greg Seidenberger, noting: “Anything we can do to mitigate floodwaters and to protect people, property and livestock downstream is great.”

The project was made possible by easements granted for it by Holcim (US) Inc., the landowner, said Krause, who also praised the engineering work of Freese and Nichols Inc., and ASI Constructors, the builder.

Among those on hand Thursday was former Comal County Judge Danny Scheel, who recalled traveling long ago to Michigan to seek Holcim's easement.

“It seems like a lifetime since we started this project back in 1999,” he said. “Now, to see it finally in its completed state is unbelievable.”